Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A Dog's Last Will

I think this is so beautiful because no person or animal should ever feel unloved or unwanted.
These are some of the dogs we have fostered in the past three years, dogs who woudl not have had a chance at love again or at all if people did nto step forward to help. 
To all the people who have adopted shelter/rescue dogs,
Thank You.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Sloppy Kisses, Walks in the Rain and Laughter

Number four in our list of lesson is of the mistakes in improper care.  I researched a little more and found that there is much work for the new dog to do.  






 Dogs, I know you will want to keep floor clear of food scraps so your owners don’t slip and hurt themselves, Don’t.  Some
foods can really upset your tummy.  The bushes and grass outside are more than just a place for the birds to taunt you from, use them.  Protect the house and yard from predators like birds and rabbits and people in ski masks.






You have pent-up energy that needs to be unleashed through and you can keep your owner healthy with regular exercise, but a steeplechase after the neighborhood cat is not necessary.  Lack of exercise can turn into excessive barking, jumping or even hostile behavior.

  Ask for something to do, like hunt for food.  Your owner can place a meal or treats in spots around the house for you to sniff out, or use a food-dispensing puzzle toy instead of a bowl.  Don’t forget that your owner needs play dates at the local dog park for proper socialization.  Pets that aren't exposed to a variety of animals and people at a very young age can develop fears and aggressive behavior.

Parents, providing food, shelter and medical for your furry kids are easier than you think.  Make sure dogs have regular checkups to prevent infectious diseases and other icky things so you can go out to play.






SPECIAL THANKS
Dr. Wright at Ideal Pet Care in Richlands, Drs Wyatt, Hayes and Denmark at Tenth Street Animal Hospital in Greenville, and Dr. Ward at 70 West Veterinary Hospital in Havelock.  These clinics offer us the best and most advanced animal care available in ENC.  We count on them to treat our foster dogs like their own.  Whether it's for a routine examination, serious health issues, or for the treatment of an injury, we know we are in good hands and that our foster dogs will be soon on their way to good health.  Our foster dogs deserve the best care and these staffs know how important our foster dogs are to us. 
Veterinarians and vet staffs- thank you from the CCBTR volunteers and foster dogs.

Last is insurance.  Insurance is not mandatory for pets but is can help offset the cost if you decide to fight with a porcupine or you break your leg chasing that bunny.  Pet insurance is not the same from every company so compare coverage, talk to your friends and veterinarian before deciding.




Like people, dogs need food, exercise and shelter. It’s the least we can give them for all the sloppy kisses, walks in the rain and laughter they give us.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Don't Skip Sit

Don’t  Skip Sit
From “Marley & Me”“
He jumps up on people, steals food, digs up shrubs, tears right through the screen in screen doors, and hauls tables around at outdoor cafes.  At home, thunderstorms panic him into digging and scratching through floors and doors, destroying the garage and then the laundry room.”
--Terry Miller Shannon, Book Reporter
Dogs come in all sizes and temperaments with their own tricks, one little Boston I fostered knew sit, stay, roll over, kennel and shake.  He walked on a leash like a pro and never had an accident in the house.  Getting a shelter or rescue dog means that the dogs may already know basic commands.  If not or if you want to add to their collection obedience training is essential.
Training starts as soon as you bring them home, introduce them to other pets one at a time in a neutral location such as your front yard.  Don’t do this alone but don’t be afraid either.  Just think of it like a kindergarten playground, they gotta test each other a bit (sniff butts and pee on everything).
Give them a crate, it’s a bedroom to a dog, without it at best they will pace the house and at worst eat your favorite shoes.  Find a place where the dog can see the family’s activity but not be in the center of it. They are like teenagers wanting to be the center of attention on their own terms.  
Housetraining is the same for all dogs in the beginning.  If you establish a routine of taking them outside they won’t establish a routine of leaving you presents. 
Some dogs have never been leashed and they will roll over and cry like you’re killing them others will fight the harness or look at you as if you’ve turned green and grown antennae.
If they are unfamiliar with a leash, try this,
·         Place the leash on dog while he eats and just let it lie at his side, he may just start carrying it himself.
·         Place the leash on your dog and follow them around the house.
  • Go outside and let the dog to roam with the leash dragging behind, but you might have to wash it when you bring it in.
  • Coax the dog along by offering treats and praising the dog when he/she follows you.
With training everyday can be a walk in the park.
Dogs learn at different speeds, so be patient.  Outdoor training should be done in an area that has little in the way of distractions “SHINY BALL”.  If your dog is easily excitable “Squirrel”, tire them out before going for a leash walk.
Don’t forget, when training always use positive reinforcement.
http://www.ccbtr.org/ and http://www.apdt.com/ are great resources for dog training.

Sunday, April 15, 2012

We're everywhere: we're everywhere

CCBTR had a busy weekend. We finalized Rumors adoption and she is with her sibling Violet now.
I went to Virginia for work so hubby and daughter took little Remy, our foster dog, for a meet and greet which turned into an adoption.


MMMM new chew toy.


Laura, Roberta and other friends went to Raleigh for Bark Around the PARK and had a great time! It was so nice to meet so many dog owners and talk Boston Terrier stuff.  Our bandanas and dog toys were a huge success.  They also caught up with our friends at BTRNC! 


Thanks to Kathy for being the event liaison and securing us an awesome space.  Thank you to volunteers Kathy, Laura, Donna, Karen and Brittany for helping staff the booth.  Amber and foster dog Max were our canine ambassadors for the day and did a great job of coaxing people in to talk with us. 

Thanks to Theresa who leads the crafting charge by providing us lots of great things to sell. 


Dog toys and bandanas were a hit! 



Monday, April 9, 2012

Where's my room?

There are no mistakes, only lessons.

Lesson 2: Failing to make your home pet-friendly

“A cat without a proper litter box will just use the carpet and a dog without a cozy bed will end up on yours.”

Remy has decided the couch is cozy.
 
Pets need far less than children do when you bring them home but there are a few essentials to make your new family member feel at home.  A collar (or harness) and leash, food and water bowls, food, some toys and don't forget to order an identification tag right away.  Dogs are far less fussy than cats about where they relieve themselves, but do them the favor of regularly picking up the poop in the backyard.  Dogs also need spots where they can cuddle up and feel safe.  "A dog needs a crate like a teenager needs a room," says Dodman.  Provide a crate or a cozy bed, and make it taboo for your family to pester the dog while he's in it.  Some dogs like Dachshunds and Boston Terriers love to burrow so blankets in with a bed make them feel secure.

Max showing off his handsome harness
Pet stores have a wide variety of collars, harnesses and leashes available and the choices can be overwhelming.  The best thing is to understand a bit about your dog.  Some dogs do better with a harness if they pull hard when they walk; this prevents their airway from being closed.  Other dogs may only need a wide collar and a leash.  A bit of research about the dog and their breed can help you decide which you need. 

Before you buy pet food find out what the dog has been eating, rescue groups like CCBTR will send a week or two worth of food with the dogs to help the transition.  If you are going to change your dogs food do it by mixing it with the old food over a period of time to help their bodies adjust.  Dr. Jennifer Coates of Petmd.com recommends a five-day switch while others may recommend longer.  If your dog develops distress from changing foods see your vet and go back to the old food immediately.  Thankfully, water isn’t such a difficult transition, at any given moment, I have 2-4 dogs in my house so I use a 3-gallon water dispenser.  In the summer, I have bowls of ice and ice blocks filled with treats for them.


Is that all you got?
Don’t forget to get your new little one a few dog toys, avoid dog toys that look like people items such as slippers your new one can’t tell the difference between what’s ok and not ok to eat.  Balls, rope toys and nylon bones are the most popular toys and having a variety gives your dog multiple ways to burn off energy.  Beware of stuffed toys with squeakers, in my experience 15 minutes with those and your dog will give you Christmas indoors.

One other thing to consider is your home and yard; dog proof your home by getting down to their level in the house.  Look for cables or small objects that the dog may think are a chew toys, even some grown dogs will chew like puppies when they are nervous.  New situations may also result in dogs marking so you might want to consider baby gates and closed doors to limit their access to the house until everyone has settled in. Unlike me, many people have a green thumb and many plants in their yard.  Click here for a list of plants that are toxic & non-toxic to your dog.

Bringing home a dog doesn’t have to be stressful and can be a very exciting time for everyone.  Remember that this is a new situation where patience and a sense of humor go a long way.

Clyde says....
Check out CCBTR.org for a downloadable information handbook  to help owners and foster families provide a safe, secure and fun home environment for their dogs."

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

There Are No Mistakes, Only Lessons

While reading numerous dog articles I stumbled onto one on RealSimple.com discussing 10 mistakes many pet owners make.  The next few weeks will be devoted to these lessons and how to make  pet ownership stress-free.

Spontaneous Purchase

Linus from CCBTR.org
One of the first and most common lesson learned is buying a pet spontaneously when the doggie in the window, darling as he is, might not be the right fit for your family or lifestyle.   Where you live and your lifestyle play a big part in choosing a pet, just as in choosing a car or a house, and equal thought should be put into all three purchases. A dog is a 10- to 15-year commitment, possibly longer than you will live in the house or drive the car. Fully inform yourself before you bring home a pet. Every dog has its own needs, some of which are specific to the breed: terriers tend to dig, beagles can be vocal. That being said, not every dog or cat is typical of its breed, so "ask about the pet's history, health, and temperament," says Stephanie Shain, a director at the Humane Society of the United States.

Jersey  from Petfinder.org

If there is a breed that interests you, read up on it, talk to owners, and get to know someone else's border collie or Boston terrier. The American Kennel Club and Petfinder have a lot of information about different breeds and Animal Planet has a dog breed questionnaire to help you choose. These can give you a starting place in choosing a breed that suits your lifestyle.
When dealing with a breeder, you should be shown where the pet was raised and meet its parents. Try the website of the American Kennel Club to find reputable breeders in your area and a wealth of information on specific breeds.

Many rescue groups are breed specific, but not every dog is a purebred. Mixed breeds can have the best traits of them all and are wonderful pets. I have a Chow–Lab mix who is a perfect example of why a mix breed is a great choice. While my baby girl is protective like the Chow, she is not a “one owner” dog, and she has the playfulness and companionship traits of a Labrador. Physically she is Chow size, but has the Lab coat, so until her muzzle turned grey many people thought she was a puppy (including her).

Animal rescue groups and animal shelters are another great way to find a family pet. Many of these dogs are past the chewing-on-everything puppy stage, housebroken, and have developed personalities, which makes it easier to place them with families. Petfinder provides listings for both rescues and shelters in your area; many of the rescues include short biographies. Shelters have their own requirements for adopting dogs, so visit them to meet the dogs and get more information.


Reputable rescue groups like CCBTR provide initial information about the dog, as well as periodic assessments on their behavior, training, and personality. Rescue groups work hard to find the right fit between dog and owner, so don’t be surprised by the applications and home visits. These are designed so that families can be matched with the best possible dog.  
Most of these dogs are surrendered by their owners or family so rescues often know a dog’s history well.
Remy from CCBTR.org
Keep in mind that dogs are a long term commitment and great personalities are more endearing that great looks.